US man pleads not guilty over threatening calls to Pelosi

San Francisco: A US man accused of
targeting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over her support for
President Barack Obama`s health care reform pleaded not guilty
Monday to making harassing and threatening phone calls.

Gregory Giusti, 48, admitted that he had made at least
48 phone calls to Pelosi`s homes in Washington and San
Francisco, as well as her offices, threatening to burn down
her houses if health care reform passed.
Under federal law, Giusti could face a two-year jail
term and a fine of 250,000 dollars if convicted on one charge
of making harassing and threatening phone calls to a
government official.

His next court appearance was scheduled for Thursday.

Pelosi, 70, a political veteran from San Francisco,
was widely credited with the successful passing of Obama`s
historic health care revamp last month.

The aftermath of the legislative landmark was marked
by threats and violence aimed at several Democratic
politicians.
PTI